Best Things To Do in Paramus

Paramus sits at the center of Bergen County, New Jersey, roughly 15 miles from Midtown Manhattan, and it offers a broader range of activities than its well-known reputation as a retail destination might suggest. With a population of about 26,500 and a median age of 49, Paramus trends older than many suburban communities and moves at a quieter, more suburban pace than the urban centers just across the Hudson — which is part of what makes it worth exploring on its own terms.

Whether you're staying locally, making a day trip from New York City, or passing through on a longer New Jersey tour, here's a practical look at what Paramus and its surroundings have to offer. For a fuller picture of the area, the Paramus Travel Guide covers landmarks, dining, and trip-planning essentials in one place.

Parks and Outdoor Spaces

Van Saun County Park (Free Grounds Access)

One of the most commonly visited green spaces in Bergen County, Van Saun County Park is a large park entirely within Paramus. Walking paths wind through landscaped grounds and wooded sections, making it a popular spot for morning walks, casual runs, and family picnics. There are picnic pavilions, open meadows, and a duck pond that draws visitors throughout the warmer months.

Access to the park grounds themselves is generally free. Certain attractions within the park — including the Bergen County Zoo, the seasonal carousel, and a miniature train ride — are ticketed separately. Check the Bergen County Parks website for current information on hours and what's open during your visit.

Bergen County Zoo (Ticketed)

Located inside Van Saun County Park, the Bergen County Zoo focuses primarily on North American and domesticated animals rather than large-mammal exotic exhibits. It's a manageable size for visitors with younger children, and the paths between exhibits are well-shaded. Confirm current admission details and hours on the official Bergen County Zoo page before you go.

Saddle River County Park (Free)

Running along the Saddle River through multiple Bergen County municipalities, Saddle River County Park offers a quieter, more nature-focused experience than Van Saun. Paved multi-use trails make it well-suited for cyclists, joggers, and walkers, and the river corridor stays relatively cool in summer. The trail network extends into neighboring towns, making it a good option for anyone who wants a longer outing on foot or by bike. Access is generally free; confirm current details on the Bergen County Parks website.

History and Local Character

Paramus lies in a part of New Jersey that saw significant movement during the Revolutionary War. The Continental Army passed through Bergen County repeatedly during the campaigns of 1776 and 1777, and that history is woven into the landscape even where individual sites have been absorbed into suburban development.

For a more concentrated look at the area's colonial past, Historic New Bridge Landing in nearby River Edge — just minutes from Paramus — is a commonly visited destination. The complex includes the Steuben House, a mid-18th-century structure associated with Baron von Steuben, the Prussian-born military officer who played a significant role in training Continental Army troops during the war. The property was granted to him in recognition of that service. The site is part of an NPS-affiliated network in the region; check official sources for current visitor access details.

One practical note for anyone planning a trip around shopping: Paramus has longstanding blue laws that restrict certain retail businesses from operating on Sundays. The rules have been in place for decades and apply selectively — but they can affect shopping plans if Sunday is your only available day, so it's worth confirming ahead with the specific stores or malls you want to visit.

For more on the area's sites, the Top Landmarks in Paramus page offers additional context.

Shopping

Few activities are more closely associated with Paramus than retail. The borough is home to two major regional malls — Westfield Garden State Plaza and Paramus Park — along with dense retail corridors stretching along Routes 4 and 17. Taken together, the concentration of shopping options in Paramus is among the highest in New Jersey.

Westfield Garden State Plaza is one of the largest enclosed shopping centers in the state, anchored by department stores and filled out with a broad mix of national chains, specialty retailers, and dining options. It functions as a natural anchor for a shopping day and accommodates a wide range of needs under one roof.

Paramus Park draws a steady local crowd and complements the Plaza with its own mix of tenants. Together, the two malls offer a full day's worth of browsing — though Sunday hours and blue law restrictions are worth factoring into any weekend retail plans.

Beyond the malls, the Route 17 corridor through Paramus features freestanding big-box stores, home goods retailers, and specialty shops that round out the area's retail depth considerably.

Dining and Food

Paramus's dining scene reflects the demographic range of Bergen County, with restaurants spanning Korean, Japanese, Italian, Chinese, Mediterranean, American, and other cuisines. The borough's Korean-American community has shaped a particularly strong showing of Korean restaurants and specialty grocers — a draw for visitors seeking that cuisine outside of Fort Lee or Manhattan's Koreatown.

With well over a thousand restaurants and cafes mapped across the Paramus area, the dining landscape is extensive, though it leans toward casual, family-friendly settings rather than destination fine dining. The Where to Eat in Paramus page breaks down options by cuisine type and area for easier planning.

Nearby NPS Sites and Day Trips

Paramus's location in northern New Jersey puts it within reasonable range of several notable sites in the region. Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, roughly 10 miles to the west, preserves one of the most impressive natural waterfalls in the eastern United States alongside the early industrial history of the Passaic River valley. Access to the falls area is generally free, though parking fees may apply; check the NPS website for visitor center hours and current conditions.

Morristown National Historical Park, roughly 35 miles to the southwest, covers the sites of Washington's winter encampments and is one of the more significant Revolutionary War NPS sites in the Northeast. It makes for a half-day to full-day excursion from Paramus.

The broader region around Paramus also includes dozens of additional NPS-affiliated and state-level historic and natural sites — worth exploring if you're building a multi-day itinerary for New Jersey.

Getting Around Paramus

Paramus is laid out as a classic North Jersey suburb, and a car is the most practical way to move between attractions. Parks, malls, and historic sites are spread along arterial roads rather than concentrated in a walkable downtown. Parking is generally available at major destinations, though the malls can see heavier traffic on weekends and around holidays.

NJ Transit bus service connects Paramus to surrounding communities and to transit hubs with onward service toward New York City. For current routes, schedules, and fare information, check the NJ Transit website directly before building any transit-dependent itinerary.

Planning Your Trip

A single day can comfortably cover Van Saun County Park, the Bergen County Zoo, and a visit to one of the malls. For more structure, the Paramus 1-Day Itinerary maps a practical route, while the Paramus 3-Day Itinerary expands the coverage to include day trips and more thorough dining exploration.

Paramus follows typical Northeast U.S. weather patterns — warm and humid summers, cold winters with occasional snow, and a more comfortable spring and fall for outdoor activities. The Best Time to Visit Paramus page has seasonal guidance for trip timing. Common visitor questions on topics from parking to Sunday retail hours are addressed in the Paramus FAQ.